Lansdowne actor enjoys challenges of ‘Matilda’
character and has no speaking part, but still has considerable challenges.
Ensemble members appear in varied scenes where they sing and often dance, changing roles even within the same scene.
For instance, in the opening scene, ToniazzoNaughton starts out as a parent, then becomes an 11 year old student.
“And then we even become fantasy ballroom dancers.” he said.
This involves not only changes in mood but also costume changes that must be done in record time. For instance, for the ballroom dancer scene, he sheds his student outfit to put on “a form-fitting shirt with all the possible sequins that could fit on it,” he said. “And it’s so tight that it’s almost like another layer of skin,”
In another scene toward the end of Act 11, he transitions from being the student to being a member of the Russian Mafia — with an elaborate costume.
“I’m decked out in a two piece black-and-white, pin-striped suit and a very gaudy shirt and an orange, black-and-white tie,” he described. “And it’s topped off with a black fedora and sunglasses.”
For this scene, the dancers even had a Russian coach to help them with pronunciation.
In all, Toniazzo-Naughton is in six scenes. Even when the ensemble members are not onstage, they aren’t taking a break.
“For certain scenes, we’re offstage singers, using portable microphones,” he said.
Considering the high energy and agility required of an ensemble member, it helps that Toniazzo-Naughton is a certified personal trainer who’s in peak physical condition.
Besides being part of the ensemble, the Lansdowne actor is also the understudy for two roles, that of the doctor and the escapologist. This involves memorizing each speaking role in its entirety.
“We have to know not only the lines that the character speaks but all the movements — the vocals, the choreography, every detail,” he said.
The understudies have their own separate rehearsals.
“And we have to be ready to go on at a moment’s notice,” said Toniazzo-Naughton. He had first-hand experience with this when he was an understudy in a show several years ago and had only 25 minutes notice to go onstage and take over the role he was understudying.
“It comes with the territory,” he said. “We’re always prepared and ready to do it.”
Toniazzo-Naughton welcomes all the challenges of his chosen profession. Growing up in Lansdowne, Toniazzo-Naughton knew he wanted an acting career. Attending St Joseph’s Prep School, he was part of its theater program. Then, at Penn State, he earned his BFA degree in Musical Theater.
He’s not the only actor in the family. His aunt Joanne Naughton performs in community theater. Girlfriend Amanda Fallon Smith is a theater professional who performs in regional theater.
So does ToniazzoNaughton, who’s had had a number of roles in regional theater productions, including Act 11 Playhouse, New Stage Theatre, Delaware Theater Company and others.
Whatever the role, he finds it gratifying to connect to audiences through live theater.
“Our job as actors is to affect those in the audience, to reach them in their hearts and minds,” he said.
He was pleased to do that two years ago when he was in the chorus for the Walnut Street Theatre production of “A Christmas Story”.
“I absolutely loved it!” he said. “This has been one of my favorite theaters since I was a kid. So I’m over the moon to be working here again — and to be part of a supportive cast that’s doing such a great show.”
He’s also delighted to be in a show about young Matilda, one of his favorite fictional characters since childhood.
“Matilda touches the child in all of us, and I think that’s so important, especially today,” he said. “We could all use the innocence and the optimism of a child. My favorite song in the show is ‘When I Grow Up’. It’s about growing up but holding on to that childhood optimism no matter how old we are.”